Tennents Brook Dam

Tennents Brook· Middlesex, New Jersey· Built 1890· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Tennents Brook Dam is classified as low hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1890 and is 136 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 12.9% in NJ)
Dam Length600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage340 acre-ft
Normal Storage250 acre-ft
Surface Area50 acres
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Max Discharge267 cfs
Year Completed1890 (136 years old)
NID IDNJ00380

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: August 22, 2008
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Utility Service Affiliates (Perth Amboy) Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Tennents Brook Dam?

Tennents Brook Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Tennents Brook Dam?

Tennents Brook Dam is owned by Utility Service Affiliates (Perth Amboy) Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Tennents Brook Dam built?

Tennents Brook Dam was completed in 1890, making it 136 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Tennents Brook Dam?

Tennents Brook Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Tennents Brook Dam?

Tennents Brook Dam has a dam height of 9 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Tennents Brook Dam last inspected?

Tennents Brook Dam was last inspected on August 22, 2008. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.